Hirundo Wildlife Refuge

Hirundo Wildlife Refuge Hirundo is a 2,400 acre nature preserve located only 10 miles from the University of Maine, Orono.

All are welcome to hike the trails, free of charge, and enjoy the beauty of Maine seven days a week, year round!

*NOT A WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER*

Hirundo is filled with small wonders. Take time to observe the nature around you—there's beauty all around.📷: Isabella S...
06/06/2026

Hirundo is filled with small wonders. Take time to observe the nature around you—there's beauty all around.

📷: Isabella Sferra

World Environment Day is today, June 5! 🌍Will you celebrate with us through community science?Join us tomorrow morning f...
06/05/2026

World Environment Day is today, June 5! 🌍Will you celebrate with us through community science?

Join us tomorrow morning for our monthly Bioblitz! We'll use the iNaturalist app to document as many species as we can across Hirundo. Every observation contributes to real wildlife data and a better understanding of the natural world around us.

"Hidden beneath towering pine trees and among patches of moss and ferns at Hirundo, these flowers create one of the refu...
06/04/2026

"Hidden beneath towering pine trees and among patches of moss and ferns at Hirundo, these flowers create one of the refuge’s most unique seasonal displays."

Read about the Pink lady's slipper in our new blog post: https://www.hirundomaine.org/ispy

06/03/2026

Good morning from Hirundo! Turn your sound on to watch a recent trail cam video from the refuge, and enjoy a few moments of serenity to start your day.

Can you name any of the birds singing in the background? Let us know in the comments!

Paddle season is in full swing! 🛶 Whether you're a seasoned paddler or trying it for the first time, we have canoes and ...
06/02/2026

Paddle season is in full swing! 🛶 Whether you're a seasoned paddler or trying it for the first time, we have canoes and kayaks available to rent.

- FREE on Saturdays with advance reservation by Thursday:
https://form.jotform.com/241095930038051

-Or rent for $10/hour on other days based on availability: email [email protected] to book

June is filled with beauty and fun at Hirundo! Join us for our Monthly Bioblitz on June 6, where we use iNaturalist to d...
06/01/2026

June is filled with beauty and fun at Hirundo! Join us for our Monthly Bioblitz on June 6, where we use iNaturalist to document the flora and fauna you observe on your walks at Hirundo.

On June 20, adults are invited to celebrate the longest day of the year at our Summer Solstice Celebration with bonfires, crafts, and community.

Then close out the month with a Sunset Paddle on June 26 and a Nature Journaling event on June 28. We hope to see you out here!

🎟️ Register today: https://www.hirundomaine.org/upcoming-events-and-programs

June is National Pollinator Month. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 1 out of every 3 bites of f...
06/01/2026

June is National Pollinator Month. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 1 out of every 3 bites of food we take is dependent on pollination.

🌬️ Wind
One pollinator that we don't usually think of is the wind. Pollination by wind is known as anemophily. Many trees release their pollen in early spring, long before most insects appear and bird populations begin migrating. Luckily, this occurs during the windy spring season. Grasses such as oats, wheat, corn, and rice also depend on the wind for pollination. As any allergy sufferer can attest, great volumes of tiny pollen particles float through the air in search of a flower to pollinate.

💧 Water
The process of water pollination is called surface hydrophily. According to the US Forest Service, this is a relatively rare occurrence, accounting for just 2% of plant pollination. Pollen drifting along the water's surface may accidentally contact an aquatic plant that is normally insect-pollinated. Invasive aquatic plants take full advantage of surface hydrophily.

Can you name these peculiar little spring visitors? Fiddlehead ferns, named for their resemblance to the scroll of a vio...
05/30/2026

Can you name these peculiar little spring visitors?

Fiddlehead ferns, named for their resemblance to the scroll of a violin, inhabit damp, shaded forest floors, where they can grow together in large numbers. Traditionally, Wabanaki peoples have been known to use fiddlehead ferns in cooking, harvesting them before they unfurled into more mature ferns, as only the young fiddleheads are palatable. Today, fiddleheads are typically steamed, boiled, or sautéed, and some people describe them as having a taste similar to spinach or asparagus. However, as with all foraged plants, be sure to completely research fiddleheads and their proper preparation before consuming them. Not all ferns found on the forest floor are edible, so it is important to be absolutely sure of a plant's identification before plucking it.

⚠️ REMEMBER: Foraging is not allowed at Hirundo except during guided programs. Members of the Wabanaki community are welcome to forage at Hirundo with prior approval.

Address

1107 West Old Town Road
Old Town, ME
04468

Telephone

+12073942171

Website

https://www.bonfire.com/store/hirundo-shop/

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